Page 79 of Enemy Boss's Baby Surprise

“I’m keeping it. And I know that sounds crazy but –”

“You know we won’t think that’s crazy,” Gillian says with a smile. “I mean, look at who you’re talking to.”

“But wait, what about Orlie? Does he know?” Amy asks. Of course, she’d have a vested interest. Hunter and Orlie are friends. She’s got a little conflict of interest.

I sigh. “I told him, but…he doesn’t believe it’s his. He’s either trying to cover his tracks or –”

“That bastard.”

We all look at our dad with wide eyes. He’s fuming, hands tightened around the arms of the rocking chair.

“That pathetic –”

“Daddy…” Dana says warningly.

“-- useless –”

Harley touches his shoulder. “Dad, please.”

“—sorry excuse for a man.” Dad shoots up out of his chair and starts to pace, fuming.

“Please don’t be mad,” I beg.

Dad lifts his head, the brown eyes he gave me meeting mine. “Mad? I’m furious!”

“It’s fine. Really, it’s –”

Dad’s face grows redder by the moment, ire building in his cheeks. “A man lies to my daughter and then accuses her oflying about having his child? Implying she’s sleeping around or – that’s inexcusable. It’s cowardly – it’s –”

Mia howls. Dana and Drew try to calm her as fast as possible.

The fury fades from Dad’s face. He looks down with embarrassment, remembering where he is. What day it is. What tender new life has just been welcomed into the world. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I get up and go to my dad and wrap him in a hug. He holds me close. As if I’m still a little girl. And I am, at least to him.

“It’s okay. I’m okay.”

“Kira, it’s not okay. No one should treat you like that. Ever. Ever.”

“But I’m happy.” I might not fully believe it yet, but I’m getting there. Soon. “I’m going to be a mom. Don’t you want that for me?”

Dad brushes his fingers through my hair and kisses the crown of my hair. “Of course I do, but – but –”

I can hear it. What he’s not saying. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was supposed to be the one that did it all the right way. Measured and planned without any sort of mistakes or drama. And now here I am, proving some sort of Solace curse to be true.

“God, I hate him,” Dad mutters.

I have to laugh. Someone has to hate him for me since I can’t bring myself to. “Thank you.”

“Of course. I’m your old man.”

My sisters crowd me in a big group hug. I hear muttered congratulations, accept gentle kisses and cuddles, and I know they mean every single one.

“If you want me to have Hunter castrate Orlie, just say the word,” Amy says, shaking me lovingly.

I cackle. “No need. I’ll do that myself once I get the courage.”

Harley pats my back. “Good girl.”

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